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Re: Why to NOT Buy a Used Pump

I opened my medela something-or-other (I don't know what it's called) to fix it a while ago and it didn't look to me like any air would go through the mechanisms. There was just a drum looking thing that would move in and out.

Re: Why to NOT Buy a Used Pump

There are some that are labeled for multiple users; Hygeia comes immediately to mind.

Ameda and Lansinoh would probably also be considered closed systems but are not labeled as such, but after reading this...I'm not entirely sure.

I have heard mixed on a Medela Freestyle. I've been told, yes, closed, no not closed. PIS/A definitely are not closed.

And this article does not address the following issues:
1. how hard the pump was used. You don't know how much use that pump got. For example, if you bought my used pump when I'm done with it (not that I would offer it). I use it a lot but prefer a Symphony, so it doesn't get as much wear as one owned by someone who pumped 10 times a week with it for 8-10 months at work. But the pump might not be as effective as if you bought a new one, and that could damage your supply. The professional grade pumps are meant for 1 year of use, really.
2. Disposal. Too bad they can't be refurbished and sold, or at least recycled. What are you supposed to do with an old pump? Toss it, I guess. Like an old carseat.

Medela PIS/A are KNOWN open systems. Even though it looks like air can't move through them, it does. Definitely not closed. BOO to Medela.

Re: Why to NOT Buy a Used Pump

Regarding sterilizing. Running hot water through a pump is NOT the same as sterilizing. To sterilize, there is heat plus contact time needed. And that would simply not be possible to do to a pump; I could see the contact time damaging the pump.